Vagina Monologues to benefit sexual assault organizations

Friday

Feb 1, 2013 at 3:15 AM

ROCHESTER — Eighteen thousand dollars: that’s how much money was raised last year for local organizations Sexual Assault Support Services (S.A.S.S.) and A Safe Place by Back Alley Productions’ presentation of Eve Ensler’s The Vagina Monologues. But for organizers Joi Smith and Danica Carlson, those numbers only fueled their desire to make an even bigger impact. This year, the company will be expanding its V-Day benefit production for the first time to Rochester.

Founded 15 years ago as a global effort demanding an end to violence against women and girls, V-Day (www.VDay.org) raises money by way of hundreds of thousands of volunteers in 140 different countries producing benefit productions of playwright/founder Eve Ensler’s works. The cash funds educational programs that help women overcome the effects of violence, enabling them to support themselves and their families. It’s a crucial contribution in a world where one in three women will experience violence in their lifetimes.

Motivated by that staggering statistic, Smith and Carlson’s Back Alley Productions has taken part in the V-Day program for four years, helping to support both the global V-Day effort and local organizations dedicated to preventing violence against children and adults. It’s a truly community effort, with over 30 people involved in the production. All of them are volunteers, and many return to lend a hand year after year. In addition, local businesses and artists donate a wide array of treats, gift certificates, works and other products to help raise money for the cause.

As they expand their efforts to two cities this year, they’re taking a divide-and-conquer approach. Proceeds from the V-Day Portsmouth event, which takes place at Seacoast Repertory Theater on Feb. 1-3, will go to support S.A.S.S.’s efforts to end sexual violence by providing educational programs in Rockingham and Strafford county school systems. Meanwhile, the company’s V-Day Rochester program, taking place on Feb. 22 and 23 at The Rochester Opera House, will raise cash for A Safe Place (www.ASafePlaceNH.org), helping them further their mission of providing free shelter and support services for those affected by domestic abuse.

The expansion into a new city isn’t the only change for Back Alley Production’s V-Day efforts this year. The company is also offering a compelling innovation on the traditional V-Day program by including a monologue from a male perspective. The piece, Rescue, was written by Mark Matousek for V-Day’s 10th anniversary. At first he wasn’t sure if he had anything to offer the movement. Then he realized the violence the women in his life experienced affected his life as well. The piece will be performed by CJ Lewis, who provided administrative support last year and after watching the show, wanted to get more involved.

“I think it’s great that they are getting a male voice. As I am sitting there watching the show it is clear that I am outnumbered as a male viewer. I believe that the experience is as important and powerful for men as it is for women,” explains Lewis. “The piece is a call to arms, to men especially. It is important that we raise new awareness. It’s not just a woman’s issue - it’s a human issue. I’m looking forward to being a conduit for other men to experience the show.”

The move is part of Smith and Carlson’s desire to remind audiences that The Vagina Monologues isn’t just a “women’s show.” Hailed by The New York Times, Daily News, and Variety as funny, poignant, intelligent and courageous, the show was written and conceived for a both men and women to engage with.

Tickets for V-Day Rochester are $20, general admission. All proceeds of benefit A Safe Place and the national V-Day movement. There are two performances, on Friday, Feb. 22 at 8 p.m. and Saturday, Feb. 23 at 8 p.m., at The Rochester Opera House, 31 Wakefield St. To purchase tickets online visit www.rochesteroperahouse.com, or contact the Box Office via phone at (603) 335-1992.

The doors will open one hour before show-time for live music and cocktails. This production contains adult language and themes and may not be appropriate for all audiences.